Bishop Zubik Impressed By New Pope

March 19, 2013 9:10 AM

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Pope Francis has officially been installed as pope, and the overall mood with Catholics and the rest of the religious world is positive. Images of the new pope shaking hands, wading into crowds, and humbly declining the pomp and circumstance seen with past popes seems to be a refreshing change from the Vatican.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik is one of those who is excited about the new pope. He’s been watching the installation of the new pope, and he has one word to describe what he’s seen.

“Wow.”

Bishop Zubik speaks to KDKA-AM’s Larry Richert about his thoughts on Pope Francis, and he says the new pope is “batting a thousand.”

“What a powerful, powerful, powerful witness this was for a simple love for Jesus, a simple love for His church, and a simple love for the people of the world,” says Zubik.

Bishop Zubik says Pope Francis has been touching the hearts of everyone who is watching. He points to a moment during the Inauguration Mass, when Pope Francis left the Popemobile to consul a severely handicapped man.

“He kissed the man on the forehead, and that man was beaming from ear to ear,” says Zubik. “It so touched into what he then said in his homily. He said, ‘it’s not about me, it’s about Jesus.'”